This blog is dedicated to the discussion and findings of product placement in movies, films and TV shows.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Transformers 1: Effective Advertising or Product Placement Overload?

By: Timothy Calaiezzi

Transformers 1 was an extremely successful movie. The box
office results back that up as it was the highest grossing non sequel movie in
2007 as it grossed 709.7 million. Transformers is also known as one of most popular
movies with significant product placement from General Motors, some have even
criticized the movie saying it felt like a long GM ad. The product placement occurs throughout the
movie, Autobot transformers are all GM vehicles while government vehicles seen
such as when Sam Wytwicky (Shia Labeouf) is arrested are also General Motors.

I
believe this was very effective advertising since the movie was a big success
to begin with, furthermore while these products got a large amount of screen
time it was all within the plot and did not take away from the overall movie.
Another reason I believe GM product placement was also effective as it
showed their vehicles in a positive light, as Transformers they were the stars
of the movie. What do you think? Effective advertising, or product placement
overload?